“And He (Jesus) said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and rise again from the dead the third day; and that repentance for forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem” (Luke 24:46-47).
In stark contrast to the exclusion of repentance in today’s preaching of salvation and the gospel, Jesus, after His resurrection, instructed that “repentance for forgiveness should be preached in His name”. In other words, “there is forgiveness of sins for those who repent” (see Luke 24:46-47). In keeping with Jesus’ instructions, the apostles preached on salvation in the same manner Jesus taught them, as we see in Peter’s example: “Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away (Acts 3:19; see also Acts 2:38). Paul also preached the same message: “First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their [good] deeds” (Acts 26:20). It is this same message of repentance Jesus Himself began His earthly ministry with (see Matthew 4:17) while expecting the same response of repentance from those who heard Him and saw the miracles He did (see Matthew 11:20-22). This message of repentance was also an inseparable part of the gospel of the kingdom Jesus gave His disciples to preach (Mark 6:7-12; Luke 9:1-6; Matthew 10:5-15), which we are also to preach in all the earth before Jesus’ second coming (Matthew 24:14). Therefore, we err when we exclude or forbid repentance in the preaching of salvation or Christian living. This is especially important in this day of deception, when salvation has been reduced to having grace to continue in your preferred lifestyle of sin as long as you add Jesus on top of your preferred sinful ways. As per the Scriptures, “it is repentance which leads to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 2:25).
The Greek word translated “repent” is “metanoia”, which means to have compunction or feel sorry for wrong doing and have a change of mind for reformation. Thus, to repent is not only to feel sorry and/or change your mind concerning what is wrong but to also commit to bearing fruit in keeping with repentance (see Matthew 3:8, Acts 26:20). This is the work of God in our hearts as we agree with and submit to Him (cf. 2 Timothy 2:25, Titus 2:11-14. Job 22:21). There is no repentance if you mentally agree that stealing or adultery is wrong but still accept it as your way of life. Where there is true repentance, there are also fruits we bear in keeping with repentance. According to the Scriptures, the true grace that comes from God teaches us to say no to all ungodliness and deny every form of sin and worldly lust while teaching us to live righteously and making us zealous for good works (Titus 2:11-14). In other words, the true grace of God leads us to repent and bear fruits consistent with repentance. Therefore, if the kind of grace you have come under does not teach you to live righteously, say no to sin, nor make you zealous for good works then you have come under a different grace and a different spirit contrary to the grace of God and the Spirit of grace.
Jesus did not die so that we can continue in a life of sin after saying “the sinners’ prayer”. Rather, we are called unto repentance and newness of life through faith in Jesus (Luke 24:46-47, Titus 2:11-14, Romans 6:4). Therefore, we have a responsibility to teach those we are leading to and nurturing in the faith that accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour is surrendering and submitting our all to Him and His Word. This involves turning away from our former ways to total obedience to God through faith in Jesus. This does not mean that one has to be sinless, in thought or in deed, to be eligible for salvation. But it does mean that we turn away from the world and sin to faith in Jesus and thereby obedience to God. And when we sin, God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all our unrighteousness if we confess our sins to Him (1 John 1:9, Hebrews 4:16).
How we come to faith in Jesus matters. If we preach a different gospel other than what Jesus gave us to preach, we will only tickle the ears of hearers and add to our number but fail to produce true converts and disciples of Jesus (cf. 2 Timothy 4:3-4). This is an error that must be corrected.
Kwadwo Omari, PhD
January 25, 2023.
A Very Important Message
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16). For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). Therefore, If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, I invite you to put your faith in Him. Pray the prayer below to accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour: “I come to you God in Jesus’ name and surrender my life unto you. I repent of my sins and I ask You to forgive me all my sins. I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, and I believe with my heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead. I thank you God for saving me, in Jesus name, Amen”. If you sincerely prayed this prayer, believe and be assured that you are saved, for the Bible says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13, Romans 10:9-10, Acts 16:31). Find a Bible believing church to attend so that you can be discipled to grow in the ways of God. You can also email me ([email protected]) and I will be happy to grow together with you in Christ.